March 2014 Surgery

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  • stfne
    stfne Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2014

    Hi everyone,

    Glad to see we are all still pushing along through this together. I had my revision on July 31st. The outcome is not perfect and I am a little disappointed that they still appear to be a strange shape even in clothing. My PS didn't prepare me for anything but perfection but luckily I didn't listen to him when he told me to stay off of the internet and came here to meet all of you wonderful supportive people. I am stepping away from the mirror and appreciating the fact that I am much much more comfortable and there were no complications. 

    Back to the support... I don't know how I would have gotten this far without this site and feel like there should be more people on here. I guess once I found this site I didn't look much further for support and perhaps there are other online supports but I still want to tell the world! 

    Julie and Wannasee, If the TE's were not so uncomfortable I would suggest that you skip the exchange surgery.  I have seen you both on the picture forum and you both look so great already! 

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  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited August 2014

    image


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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    I will always be so grateful to you March ladies.  <3

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2014

    jbdayton- thanks for the good wishes.  Sorry your recovery is going more slowly than hoped. Glad you are feeling better. It is a long journey with some twists and turns. Remember we are here for you if you are feeling down.  Hugs!

    Ally

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  • Blueberry4
    Blueberry4 Member Posts: 98
    edited August 2014

    Jbdayton, your perseverance and positive attitude are inspiring.  Some journeys go as planned, and others are more scenic as Sandra says.  I'm on a more scenic path with you and Sandra and Specialk, but that's okay.  Thank you for reminding me to keep looking forward.  My chemo will be done in October, and then I can restart my TE fills again in November (my MO had stopped them due to healing issues and low WBCs during chemo), and then onto exchange hopefully next spring.

    Juliecc, iwannaseeyoubebrave, and Ally, I will be thinking of you for your upcoming surgeries.  Keep us posted..

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2014

    Blueberry-  Thanks for the good wishes.  I know it seems like October is a long ways off but each day is a step closer.  Hang in there!!

    Ally

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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited August 2014

    Blueberry, thanks for the well wishes.  I admire your courage and strength while you are on this unfortunate path. October will be here before you know it and it will be time for a BIG celebration!  Hang in there. One milestone at a time. 

    Susan

     

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited August 2014

    Julie, will be thinking about you tomorrow! I think this next step will be a great one. I can't wait for mine. These TE's seem to be getting more uncomfortable everyday. Give us an update when you are up to it! Best wishes. You've got this girl!


     

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    Thank you, KLJ!  I'll check back in and let you all know how it went! :-)

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  • ucfmom
    ucfmom Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2014

    I love reading about the March ladies' progress.  I've felt for months that I got off so easily with my whole experience with BC.  I got my wake up call today - my husband was just diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma.  He had surgery on Monday to remove what was thought to be a benign mass on his epiglottis (flap thing in the throat).  It was biopsied in June (originally the doctor thought it was a cyst), path report showed it was benign but the doctor referred Mark to a surgical oncologist at UF Cancer/Orlando Health; she specializes in head and neck cancers.  Lots of tests and then surgery Monday and initial path report from OR showed benign but the doctor wasn't convinced.  They ran more tests on the mass this week and we got the news this afternoon.  We don't know much yet, we'll meet with her on Tuesday and her office is setting up appts with the MO and Radiologist.  I have to say with the exception of our precious grandson being born in February, I pretty much hate this year. 

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  • stfne
    stfne Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2014

    Ohhh UCFmom I am so sorry that you and your family had to get that news and have to be going through more cancer sh#&×$*/!  Saying a prayer for you guys.

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    I'm so sorry UCFMom.  So unfair!  I hope it is early and very treatable.  Big hugs.

    I had my exchange surgery this morning and it went great!  I'm dozing off though so I'll need to write more later.

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited August 2014

    Julie, glad you checked in! Can't wait to hear how it all went. Do you have drains? So happy you are doing well!

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    No drains,KLJ!  I feel a little swollen and a little sore but it's not bad at all!  I haven't fully inspected yet but I get to take a showers today and will have a good look. I'll paste here what I pasted in a couple of other threads and on the picture forum since I'm a still tired and dopey.

    I had a super awesome surgery day!!! It took about 90 minutes but she had a lot to do! She biopsied my bump, fixed my dent (it looks like it anyway),put them closer together, and worked on my armpit fat triangle. Right before surgery, she said I's probably end up with 450 or 500, and that the 550 probably wouldn't fit. She knew I wanted her to squeeze in the largest amount possible that fit and looked good. Well, I woke up with 550s!!! :D

    After surgery, we even went out to eat. I feel some soreness and tightness (she said I would since she squeezed in 550s), but I feel really great! I woke up with steri strips, gauze, and a light surgical bra. Interestingly, I also have gauze rolled up in the middle to prevent my foobs from getting too close together. I never heard of that. They are about an inch apart now instead of 2. Honestly, I have only peeked a little.  I'm very happy today.

    Here is a picture of how great I felt when I woke up. I got the ear patch and the anesthesiologist hooked me up with other stuff to prevent nausea. It all worked. Take care, everyone, and I will catch up on your posts when I'm more awake :-)

    image

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    UCF mom, I'm thinking of you and your husband.  Good luck on Tuesday.

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  • ucfmom
    ucfmom Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2014

    Julie, I'm glad it went so well - you look great!

    Beth

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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited August 2014

    Ucfmom, I'm so sorry to hear about your latest news. Prayers go out to your husband. Hoping Tuesday will bring some positive news.

    Take care,

    Susan


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  • iwannaseeyoubebrave
    iwannaseeyoubebrave Member Posts: 226
    edited August 2014

    Congratulations Julie!  I'm glad you are feeling good and that all went well.  You look fabulous! 


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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited August 2014

    ucfmom, so sorry to hear about your husband. Keep us updated and we will send prayers to you both. Special prayer for Tuesday.  

    Julie what a smile.  Glad everything went so well.  Praying for a smoothe recovery.  You look so happy.

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  • linda505
    linda505 Member Posts: 847
    edited August 2014

    Ucfmom - so sorry about your hubby - will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers!  Cancer sucks!!!

    Julie woo hooo and looking good!!!

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited August 2014


    You look great Julie! Rest up and then update us!!!

    UCFmom, I am so sorry. When it rains it pours for some of us. Will be sending good thoughts for you and your husband.

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  • Blueberry4
    Blueberry4 Member Posts: 98
    edited August 2014

    Ufcmom, I'm so sorry.  I will be keeping you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers.

    Julie, awesome!

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  • Frostecat
    Frostecat Member Posts: 447
    edited August 2014

    I'm here with all of you but I'm "up north" with very spotty connection reading when I can.  Thinking of you all!

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  • ucfmom
    ucfmom Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2014

    Thanks for all your kind words.  I feel kind like I'm in a fog again like I did when I was diagnosed in February.  The crazy thing is Mark felt the lump in his throat right about the same time we got the news about the BC but he didn't tell me about it until after I recovered from surgery.  He went to his primary doctor in May and was referred to a specialist who did a swallow test with scan and scheduled him for an endoscopy.  But before that test, the doctor called him back with the results of the scan and referred him to an ENT doctor who did more tests then scheduled Mark for outpatient surgery in June to remove what they thought was a cyst.  Biopsied it when he got in and discovered it wasn't a cyst and the path report came back benign.  Again, on Monday during the second surgery all indications in the OR were that it was still benign.  Thank God the surgeon is thorough and ordered more tests on the mass.  I have to wonder how many other doctors might have relied on the path results and left it at that?  She said it was huge (4 cm - in his throat!) and it just isn't normal to see that much lymphoid tissue there.  Maybe it's a blessing he waited because if he went in February or March when it was much smaller, he may not have been referred to his current doctor.  They might have just removed it and assumed the path report was correct.  This week will be interesting, that's for sure.

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited August 2014

    That's rough UCFmom.  Do you know what the next step is?  Does he need more surgery?  Thank goodness the surgeon did order more tests.  Take care.

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  • Sailon
    Sailon Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2014

    Julie -- I am so happy to see such a terrific picture and hear that the day went so well.  Congratulations!  Wow so you had 450CCs expanders and the PC went with 550 implants.  Interesting.  Looking forward to your terrific forward progress.  Out to eat on the day of!!  Wow -- I bet you don't remember what you ate!!  I am so relieved for you that it is behind you.  You give me a lighter heart, tummy and soul as I stare down October 2nd.  Sooooo Happy for you!!  

    UCFmom -- thinking strong thoughts and good thoughts and perseverance for you and your husband.  What a double wammie.  Keep sharing the information and we will all help process and support -- Prayers and good thoughts all the way around --   

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  • ucfmom
    ucfmom Member Posts: 127
    edited August 2014

    Julie, we have a follow up with the surgical oncologist (who performed the surgery) on Tuesday.  No appointment time yet, they're supposed to call us tomorrow and let us know.  They're also setting up appointments with a medical oncologist and radiation oncologist.  On Thursday the SO has a team meeting that will include the MO and RO and they will be discussing Mark's case to come up with the best plan.  I would think they'll want to do a PET scan and bone marrow biopsy before they can make a final decision on whether to do chemo or radiation or possibly both.  I don't think further surgery will be done because the SO said that isn't protocol for lymphoma.  I have a follow up with my PS scheduled for Tuesday afternoon that I may need to move, but will wait to see what time Mark's appointment will be first.  I'm afraid if I move my appointment to another day, I'll have to end up changing it again.

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2014

    ucfmom-  So sorry to read about your latest news...definitely a double whammy.  So glad the specialist ordered more tests.  Will keep you both in my prayers.  Take care!!

    Ally

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  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited August 2014

    Julie, you look great. So glad it was a breeze for you.

    Ucfmom, that is terrible news! I just can't imagine the heartache. I agree, 2014 has been an awful year for you.

    I believe I told you that my husband was bitten by a brown recluse spider back in April and developed hemolytic anemia. His blood work continues to go downhill and he has developed some reddish purple splotches on his forearms. Friday he had a colonoscopy to see if there was any bleeding there, but other than three polyps that looked benign pending testing, he came through fine. It was surreal to be sitting next to his bed, waiting for him to come out of the anesthesia. He's not the one who is supposed to have IV's and oxygen. I'm so worried and afraid that he has something serious. He has always been the strong man who never gets sick. Now he has lost over 20 lbs, has a pallor, and is tired much of the time. I wanted to go with him to his doctor's appointment this morning, but he won't let me come. I think he is afraid too.

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  • KLJ
    KLJ Member Posts: 284
    edited August 2014

    Sandra, I am so sorry to hear this about your husband. We are quite the group aren't we? I think we are all going to be here through thick and thin for each other long after we complete this BC journey. The optimistic side of me says there is a happy ending to this journey :)  Mine started in Aug. 2011 when my 30 year old daughter was diagnosed with triple negative BC. That happened to be the same month we were moving from CA to FL for my husbands work. That was a full year of back and forth travel from FL to CO to take care of her. Then in Feb. 2013 my husband was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Another surgery but he came through it just fine! Then Dec. 2013 we were transferred back to CA and I was diagnosed with BC. We all have so many twists and turns in our lives. Do you ever wonder what a life without all of these trials would be like? I hope they figure out what is going on with your husband. I detest spiders and have read about the brown recluse but have never run into one although I hear we have them here. Our most common sightings are the Wolf and camel spider. We live near the largest Marine Corp Base in the U.S. and I just read that they think these spiders are being brought back on the equipment and baggage that is coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. I sure hope not!

    Wishing you and UCF mom all the best!

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